pappabearbooks Chapter 216: Advance (5)
Chapter 216: Advance (5)
The song ‘Royal Procession’ spread across the vast historical drama set. With music that elevated the atmosphere playing in the background, the historical drama set, crowded with many filming teams, exuded even more of the Joseon Dynasty’s vibe.And the one currently stirring up this historical drama-style set was.
-♬♪
It was Kang Rojun, dressed in a royal costume, including a topknot. In sync with the resounding ‘Royal Procession,’ he showcased dance and vocals in front of the camera. At present, the official music video shoot for Vanguard’s ‘Royal Procession’ had begun on this historical set. Thus, along with members from GN Entertainment, the music video director, the filming crew, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, and employees from Netflix Korea were all gathered.
Everyone was watching Kang Rojun in the shooting zone.
Rojun, filming his solo cut, recalled the storyboard while performing expressions and choreography in front of the camera.
‘Ugh! My topknot almost fell off! As expected, dancing in these costumes isn't easy.’
Compared to the music videos for ‘GreenBee’ or Vanguard’s other songs, the difficulty had definitely risen. These weren’t ordinary outfits, and he also had decorative accessories on his head and ears.
But Kang Rojun enjoyed it.
‘It’s fun because it’s new.’
He had felt it during the music video rehearsals as well, but there was a strange thrill in this historical drama atmosphere. It felt like stepping into the world of ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ in advance. Plus, there was the curiosity of how his current self would appear on screen.
‘I need to come off as a cold and fierce king.’
In this cut, Rojun needed to emphasize a slight sense of cruelty. At the same time, his expressions and choreography had to be rough and powerful. With intense facial acting, he went wild in front of the camera, treating it like his opponent.
Just then.
“Cut!”
The bearded music video director’s signal spread across the set, and he sprang from his seat, running over to Rojun, who was slightly panting.
"Rojun-ssi, that was really cool just now."
Was it okay? Hehe. While Rojun was smiling inwardly, the music video director added more.
“It felt like a half-crazed king about to start a sword dance, but since your looks back it up, the visual is just insane.”
“Should I try adding a bit more of a manic moment?”
“Ma-manic? Hmm, let’s see?”
“Yes! Director-nim.”
"Then this time we'll set the camera movement a bit to the rear and try again."
The director returned to the monitor area, and Kang Rojun’s shoot restarted. This time, Rojun appeared even more like a tyrant than before, and the female staff near the music video director whispered among themselves.
“......Wow, seriously, I can’t take my eyes off him.”
“Doesn’t he kind of look like a king exuding decadent vibes?”
“If Rojun-ssi were king, even as a tyrant, he’d still seduce all the court ladies.”
“He’s really nailing the concept.”
Kang Rojun’s shoot lasted for more than 30 minutes, and the next scene to be shot was.
“Do-kyung-ssi!!”
It was Do-kyung, dressed in tattered clothing. The shooting order was Do-kyung, Si-hoo, Kang-min, Rojun again, then the group cut. While Do-kyung was filming mixed with the dance team, Kang Rojun blended into the staff team to change outfits, and for the next few hours, the other members’ shoots continued.
Then.
"First without the dance team, just Vanguard members gather!!"
Vanguard members, each dressed in outfits matching their individual concepts, gathered. The background was a palace-like space, and once again, ‘Royal Procession’ played on the set. The chorus of the first verse. Vanguard began performing choreography that matched the song perfectly.
-♬♪
The dance team, about to be brought in soon, muttered small exclamations.
"It's nothing new, but these guys are really good."
“Right? Compared to their debut, everyone’s skills have shot up.”
Vanguard’s overall form had significantly leveled up. Among them, the one who stood out the most was Kang Rojun. The dance team leader praised him highly.
“Kang-min and Rojun suit ‘Royal Procession’ choreography the best... but Rojun is just something else.”
Hearing their conversation from nearby, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin perked her ears.
‘Even someone like me, who doesn’t know much about dance, can tell Rojun-ssi stands out the most. How should I say... while the other members are just incredibly good, Rojun feels like an artist? Cool? He's just stylish. He’s even got charisma.’
At this time, the dance team leader continued speaking.
“Rojun has really good eyes. I’ve never seen anyone pick up my movements in such detail before. He copies fast too, but then transforms the choreography into his own style. And it’s so slick.”
"He dances easily but brings out all the points he needs to?"
“Exactly. Ah did you see just now? He looked like he was moving lightly, but there was this strange grace and flair. That kind of thing can’t be taught, it’s something you’re born with.”
“Plus, that crazy visual of his just reinforces everything and grabs attention.”
The evaluations from these people were the same as everyone else on the historical drama set.
‘Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung are first-tier idols. Each of them is overflowing with charm, and their skills and capabilities blow most popular idols out of the water.’
It was something they all strongly agreed on.
‘Ah- but Rojun is a star.’
A few hours later.
The ‘Royal Procession’ music video shoot that had started in the morning was still ongoing in the afternoon. It wasn’t something that would be finished within the day. The schedule required at least three days of filming.
Regardless, a short break was given on set, and Rojun and the members, drenched in sweat, were catching their breath while seated among the staff. A few staff members immediately approached them, for touching up the members’ outfits and makeup.
Meanwhile, the members chatted lightly.
“Si-hoo hyung, are you okay? You’re sweating more than during practice.”
“Maybe it’s because the costume’s different? Doesn’t it feel way harder??”
“That’s true. But how come Rojun hyung looks totally fine?”
“I’m tired though.”
“Liar! You don’t look it at all!”
“I’m tired. The topknot is uncomfortable too.”
“Then switch with me.”
“Rags suit you, Do-kyung.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek quietly observed Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, who was speaking with Netflix Korea staff off to the side.
-Swoosh.
He quietly approached her. Kim Ki-baek had a faint presence, after all.
"Executive Director-nim."
Lim Hyun-jin was slightly startled.
“Eep. Ah, Manager-nim. I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Yes, I get that a lot. More importantly, regarding promotion and marketing for ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’, I have something to say.”
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin blinked, said something to the staff, then turned her gaze back to Kim Ki-baek.
"Should we go over there and talk?"
They reached a relatively quiet spot on set, and Executive Director Lim glanced at Manager Kim.
‘That energyless vibe. Every time I see him, I just can’t read him.’
She opened her mouth.
“You said it’s about promotion and marketing for ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’? Go ahead.”
“Mm- so far, the only things revealed about ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ are that PD is Jung Soo-ryeong and Rojun is writer, and that it’s aiming for a global launch, right?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re probably waiting for the right timing to reveal the casting or the collaboration with Vanguard.”
That was indeed the case. The historical-fantasy-themed ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ had kicked up a lot of buzz early on and was now in a quieter phase. Especially, the fact that one of the two lead actors was Kang Rojun hadn’t been made public. The same went for the collaboration with Vanguard.
With a smart expression, Lim Hyun-jin smiled faintly.
“Yes. The collaboration with Vanguard will be revealed a bit later, and we’re starting to position the cast, including Rojun. Why? Do you want to reveal Rojun’s casting first?”
Manager Kim Ki-baek, who had been slowly scratching his chin, shook his head.
“No, rather than that, I was thinking it might be more fun to announce Rojun’s casting with a bit of flair, instead of plainly.”
“...Do you have something in mind?”
Manager Kim Ki-baek often came up with good ideas like this here and there.
"Yes, it's not that great though. Rather than simply announcing through articles or SNS- it would be better to make public opinion or the media speculate and predict first and make a fuss. Creating an atmosphere? Something like that feeling."
“Can you give an example?”
Raising his index finger, Kim Ki-baek pointed at Kang Rojun on set.
“Currently, Vanguard has wrapped up their song promotions, and aside from ‘Royal Procession,’ the members are only doing individual schedules. In that situation, we suddenly upload a historical drama-themed concept photo of Rojun on Vanguard’s social media.”
"Ah."
"Without any particular explanation, if we upload the best shot."
As he explained, Executive Director Lim immediately caught on.
“Rojun wouldn’t be doing a historical concept for no reason, and the hook will be quick, leading to a flood of speculation, right? And those speculations will naturally connect to ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’??”
“Yes. Mm- and these days, Vanguard has been getting more international attention, through YouTube and social media.”
“We know. The NOIR and Reddit story. Since there’s a collaboration, there’s big interest in Vanguard.”
“I understand. Anyway, if Rojun’s historical concept photo is suddenly uploaded, I think it’ll spark some conversation not just in Korea, but overseas too. It won’t be explosive or anything, but...”
“What are you talking about? I looked at Vanguard’s Instagram, the number of Japanese and English comments is already significant.”
Manager Kim Ki-baek gave a faint, weary smile.
“That’s barely a drop in the ocean.”
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, looking slightly surprised as if she hadn’t expected it, responded.
“So, to summarize your idea, by revealing Rojun’s lead casting, we can pull in interest from Korea and Japan, while also baiting overseas audiences.”
It was definitely something worth trying. At least, that was what Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin thought.
‘There’s no way GN wouldn’t promote 'Tale of the Strange Moon', so of course they’ll put effort into Vanguard’s YouTube channel or social media as well.’
Naturally, this would result in the promotion of 'Tale of the Strange Moon' spreading overseas as well. Vanguard’s current subscriber count on YouTube had surpassed 13 million, and their social media followers had exceeded 11 million. With rising international interest, the numbers were growing rapidly.
If a group like Vanguard were to promote 'Tale of the Strange Moon', the effect would clearly be significant.
Especially since 'Tale of the Strange Moon' was a Netflix production. And on Reddit, one of the largest global communities, Netflix was consistently a popular keyword.
‘Even if 'Tale of the Strange Moon' gets just a little attention on Reddit, it’s still a hundred times better than getting nothing at all.’
If the currently filming music video for ‘Royal Procession’ were added into the mix later, it could possibly stir up quite a buzz. Of course, for now, this was all just speculation between Kim Ki-baek and Lim Hyun-jin. But if you don’t try, nothing happens.
“Manager-nim, let’s do as you suggested.”
“Understood.”
The two wrapped up their conversation with the agreement to work out the detailed timing separately, and Manager Kim Ki-baek slowly walked over to Kang Rojun, who was talking with the staff. He leaned in and whispered something. In response, Rojun flashed a smile that could captivate every woman in the world and replied in a soft tone.
“That sounds super fun. I’m in.”
Later.
As the first day of filming for ‘Royal Procession’ wrapped up, August came to a close and September arrived. After three full days of shooting, the music video for ‘Royal Procession’ was completely finished on the afternoon of September 2. Over the course of those three days, Vanguard had run wild and were now busy bowing and thanking all the staff. They didn’t forget to take a group photo in their historical costumes either.
“Okay, taking the shot, one, two!”
Though that group photo would only be uploaded to Vanguard’s social media later.
With that, all major work for “Royal Procession”, recording, choreography, and the music video, was done. Until the final content was released, Vanguard only had to continue practicing to stay sharp, and thanks to that, Rojun and the members finally had a lighter schedule.
A perfect time to rest.
Meanwhile, about a week later, unlike Vanguard, GN Entertainment remained busy. The top priority was the collaboration between 'Tale of the Strange Moon' and Vanguard. The second priority was.
“I think it would be good if Vanguard’s next activity happens within this year, if possible. The members want that too.”
They were mapping out Vanguard’s next comeback. CEO Ha Seo-hwan’s decision was.
“Let the kids rest a bit, then keep it short and powerful, with a single.”
Rather than a full album, it would be a single album. This news was quickly passed on to the members of Vanguard, and Kang Rojun, eyes sparkling, immediately gave his input to Manager Kim Ki-baek.
"Is this single considering overseas too? Then I have a song I want to let you hear!"
Meanwhile, good news arrived from Japan as well.
The location was Netflix Japan. A curly-haired blonde foreigner sat at a desk checking emails. That man was none other than Executive Director Tom Cavill. At that moment, his phone rang. He checked the caller. It was PD Noguchi Ken, likely in between the editing of 'Like a Kaleidoscope'.
Tom Cavill narrowed his eyes slightly.
‘What is it, did something go wrong?’
He brought the phone to his ear, and Japanese could be heard on the other end. PD Noguchi Ken’s voice was filled with exhaustion.
"Executive Director-nim, the editing for 'Like a Kaleidoscope', just finished."
*****
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